ABSTRACT
The history of Labour’s position on race and immigration is well documented as constituting one half of a restrictive bipartisan consensus (Solomos 1989, Layton-Henry 1984, Carter et al. 1987, Tompson 1987, Shukra 1995b). On the question of “black”1 political participation, Labour has been contradictory. Whilst seeking black support, it rejected black claims for representation and recognition (Shukra 1990a). The construction of New Labour in the 1990s only exacerbated matters. Although it works with its black lobby in the form of Black Socialist Society (BSS), the party also stands accused of challenging, investigating and undermining the recruitment, membership and activities of thousands of its black supporters.
